Previously in the year I’d attended Eastbourne’s 11th birthday and today it was the chance to attend the 11th birthday of Burgess parkrun, along with completing the third part of the 2023 Southwark Slam which is completing all the parkruns in Southwark in the calendar month of September.
Burgess parkrun is where it all began for me and this blog wouldn’t exist if not for it. It shows parkrun can be so much more than just running. Burgess has been a constant in my running journey, my health and where I’ve made great friends who have enriched my life in countless ways. A huge shout out to all the participants, and members of the core team who make this one of the best parkruns.
Georgina Hayfron was today’s Run Director and orchestrated the day, arranging the Hi Viz Heroes, calling out Burgess’s 11th birthday before sending all 597 of us on our way.
I had positioned myself near the front to avoid getting caught in 'traffic', vapourflys on my feet and when I looked at my Garmin realised this start had been quick! As you come out of a short underpass there’s a slight rise which gives you one of the best vista’s of the park. The sun was streaming above, the sky was turquoise blue. These were simply breathtaking moments. Our first marshal on route was Michael, a Burgess regular who has graduated from 5k to full marathon, cheering us all on. It is this type of comradery from all the volunteers which gives Burgess parkrun a special feel.
I powered up to benches, then up to Tesco turn, down around the lake, back to benches, through the valley, up to the hairpin and then the long drive to ‘the funnel of glory’. There are places you can see and high five other people and all of this was surging me on. I’d hoped to run a sub 20mins so you can imagine my delight at clocking in at 19mins 4sec, my 3rd fastest parkrun!
There’s a very special group of volunteers who arrange bananas for all participants and people like to stay and cheer in others and enjoy those liminal moments that make all parkruns such great occasions. Talking with some runners I learned they were from the Grove Lane running group in Camberwell; https://www.instagram.com/grovelanerunners/ which offers organised runs in the area. It’s great to see the running community flourishing like this and I’m sure Burgess parkrun has been a contributor to this expanding running community.
Happy 11th birthday Burgess parkrun may you continue to be a source of welcoming to all runners of all ethnicities, Nationalities, ages, abilities and peculiarities 😀
Next week it’s off to Dulwich parkrun to complete the 2023 Southwark Slam.
コメント